A corner has been turned

 Yesterday I woke too early - 4.30 again.  Couldn't get back to sleep so just after 5 I got up and came downstairs.  I had planned to drive to Carmarthen area to get the Christmas meat and to see friends.  I now had time to play catch up a bit and having bought a bag of lemons with my Christmas shopping decided to make a Lemon Drizzle cake for P&D  and family, as I know they love it and P doesn't bake.  I opened the page of my special recipes book (all handwritten out, and it's hand-made heavyweight paper) to Tangy Lemon Cake and saw I had put double the quantities to one side.  Why not make two, one for friend N too?  So I did.  All before breakfast.  The hardest part was grating 4 lemons to go in the mix.  Then those lemons are ground on the glass lemon squeezer (that was my mum's) and the juice mixed with sugar to spoon over the cakes the moment they come out of the oven and you prod them all over with a skewer.

I was away by about 9.30.  Sitting down and driving is fine, I can do that.  Not up to much physical exercise just yet though.  I needed fuel, but wasn't paying the £148.9 a litre that Tesco wanted (will be the same down the town too).  In Llandovery I got diesel for £138.9.  A considerable improvement.  Then on to Llandeilo, to our old butchers at Ffairfach.  He sells Salt Marsh Lamb and I wanted a piece for Christmas and got a lovely leg.  Then a kilo of braising steak for the pie, and I got 500g of mince for meals for me.  

A whistle-stop drop off P&D's with Quality Street, cake, jam/marmalade and a book for P.  Finally back through the little lanes to N's, praying I wouldn't meet the mad neighbour who drives like it's Le Mans, when I got to the very very single track rock-cut steep bendy hill . . .  I survived, and had a cuppa and a very welcome chat and catch up on gossip with N.  

On the way home I stopped at the nursery for the last two gifts I needed to get for P and C and will drop those off this morning with a card.  

I just made a simple mince with onions and mixed veg for tea, and some of the lovely Organic Cauliflower which Tam had bought across for me.  I had decided to add a splash of Worcester Sauce to it but picked up the Tesco's own bottle by mistake.  Since having this bug, and despite emptying sinuses, I seem to have an area of super sniffing and a note of something will really be strong and pungent.  Yesterday it was a note of Anchovy in the sauce and I did wonder if I was going to be able to face eating it as my stomach had lurched at the smell.  By the time I'd added gravy browning, it had subsided, thank heavens.  I only had a tiny bowl - literally half a dozen dessertspoonfuls - and I felt really bloated afterwards (I have lost just under half a stone with this bug), but it will help to build me up.  More tonight.

The photo at the top is the River Cothi, which had clearly been up across the lane as ever, only a lot more frequently since we lived there.  It's much drier here.  

Oh, and to make you all giggle.  Tam left J in charge of Rosie on Friday, as ever, whilst she was in work.  They had bought a small sprig of Mistletoe and put it high, but J, being tall, must have knocked it and it fell within Rosie's reach.  They hadn't counted the berries on it but two didn't seem many and he was worried Rosie may have eaten some.  Off they all went to A&E, where Rosie was pronounced fit and apparently it's not the berries which carry the toxin, it is the stem and leaves.  At worst, she would have had an upset tummy.  Anyway, Rosie had been having a fine old time climbing all over the hospital bed and when it came to going home, actually wanted to stay and keep on playing.  They scooped her up and walked out through A&E with Rosie yelling "Help!!!" as if they were abducting her!!!  They didn't even know she KNEW the word "help" . . . where did that come from? 

Hoping I've turned a corner

 I took the decision to drive to the shops today (for grub) - if I felt rough by town, I would get bare essentials from Co-op.  If I felt OK, I would go on to Llandod.  I felt OK.

In Christchurch.

I managed to find a parking space I could drive straight into in the town (thank heavens as brain wasn't quite up to doing parallel parking yet).  I posted a card, and walked slowly back to the art shop.  I was looking for a gift for little "I" but the books there didn't quite hit the mark.  Art stuff - that was what I needed, as part of a Christmas gift.  I couldn't believe it - no art stuff at all - instead LOTS of birthday cards etc and a nice little gift corner.  So I am afraid Mr Amazon had to have my business this late in the day.

I got a trolley for my meander around Tesco's.  Oh my goodness, that challenged me.  I was ok with it empty but as it filled up (cat food is always heavy), so are bags of spuds, and I began to struggle.  I got the essentials (about half the Christmas list) and stopped whilst I still had legs under me!  I unpacked in bits and bobs (some still in car and I won't be able to haul the cat litter in I don't think).  Then I had a double Time Team nap.  

My tea was cooked by the chippy, but at least I've had something hot and it's not just a handful of Ritz or half an apple . . .

A Lorna Doone sort of day

 Of course, I have been on the sofa all day again.  I fancied watching Lorna Doone earlier, but couldn't find the remote for the dvd player.  I watched the - much shortened to extracts - clips on You Tube, but then Tam phoned and told me I didn't need the remote for the dvd player so I watched it again in its entirety again.  The Lorna refrain is so beautiful.  It is now vieing with The 13th Warrior for most viewed film in our house (Keith loved the latter film).

Incidentally, the shooting of Lorna at her wedding to Jan Ridd was based on an actual happening, whem poor Mary Whiddon was shot and killed by a jealous former suitor, on 11th October 1641 at Chagford Church.

I have been feeling very emotional and run down today and had lots of tears on and off.  I've had this bug for 10 days now.  I didn't have the strength to drive down to town for some bread and so I forced myself to start off a half and half dough in the breadmaker, and now have a nice round crusty loaf baking in the oven.

I don't know what tea will be - probably just freshly-baked bread, although I did get a tin of Heinz Ravioli the other day, in case I fancied something quick (and not very nutritious!)  It cost an arm and a leg too . . .

I had a cat-flap delivery this morning - my beautiful little piece of Dartmoor - the jug from Powdermills pottery and I am absolutely delighted with it. The natural colours are peaty and soothing.  My connection with the moor and my ancestral roots.

Rosie's quilt

 

I couldn't wait to give Rosie this quilt and she was over the moon with it and put it on her bed straight away!  Anyone visiting the house has been taken through for a show-and-tell!

100 per cent hand quilted throughout.  I still marvel at those little Bear's Paw blocks!   The quilted border pattern is a Durham quilting one and Rosie's mum came from that area, so that gives a lovely link too.

Right now, I never want to pick up a needle again - my poor brain is still in neutral, but I've just had a link on my feed for The Other Bennet Sister on BBC iPlayer, and that looks SUCH fun, I am going to treat myself this morning.

Everything I wanted to do in the run up to Christmas has been knocked on the head.  I will be lucky to get the shopping done at this rate.  

Reports of my recovery are greatly exaggerated . . .

 In fact, I got blardy WORSE yesterday.  I managed to force down some tea (half a ready meal), had my teatime pills, and then began a dry irritating cough and coughed and coughed until I was sick in the sink several times.  (I do NOT enjoy being sick).  Around 1 a.m. I trotted down to the loo and back and suddenly my teefs began chattering like castanets and I had to quickly put a thick extra quilt on the bed and turn the bed heater on high.  The bed was shaking from my shaking.  When I woke next, it  was like starting a whole new other cold, though the Laryngitis was on the retreat and my breathing better, but my brain had gone walkabouts again.  I really DON'T know what I have, or even what combination!  I saw the GP yesterday, who gave me antibiotics just in case but said don't take them today, and see how you feel tomorrow etc, so they are there for some time in the future.  He thought this was probably viral.

The lovely view from my room at the Faulty Towers motel in Queenstown . . .

So I am still in my usual place on the sofa, sleeping a lot of the time, and feeling yuk.  I just want to be better again.  I can't see me driving down to Carms to see my quilting buddies and friends Pam and Nikki tomorrow, but hope to be able to manage it by Friday, if I get better.  I have had a fortnight of being nailed to the wall now and am so fed up with it.

I had to go out for provisions as Pam's car off road.  I had the windows wide open on the car to keep me alert.

Hoping to stay awake long enough to watch a Broadchurch episode this afternoon.

Still feeling grim - and quick update

 

Are you poorly mum?

After perking up a bit yesterday, and telling Tam and Rosie to come over after all, I did manage to stay awake till 9 p.m. but was bad in the night as I forgot my strong antihistamine which seems to help my chest.  So around 3 a.m. I had to come downstairs and take it, but it was a couple of hours before it made a difference.  It has been lovely having Tam and Rosie here, and Tam has cared for me, and changed my bedding etc.

Today we went and got the Christmas tree, from just out of town.  We chose a slightly smaller one than usual and Tam has it in its stand and with the lights on it, so when I am feeling better I can dress it.

Unfortunately in going to get the tree, I got chilled and was soon back on the sofa, smothered in heated blanket, hotty botty etc, teefs chattering.   I had a sharp pain in my chest too, but think this is more like Laryngitis than anything as I can barely croak, let alone speak.  I have no appetite but had to force down half a nice Cornish Pasty Jon bought back from Hereford (he'd been to a gig there).  I shall take my antihistamine in an hour or so, a bit early, but it's not forgotten.  I have lost 2 lbs in two days.  Drinking plenty to keep me hydrated though.

I'm home alone again now and will just rest up and tomorrow get a taxi down to collect the car and I will make an appointment to see a Dr, as not sure what this is.  Not Covid, not Flu, not even a proper cold.  But a right PITA to have!   Rosie is a little germ factory, and has a cold again now, so I have been washing my hands lots.

Update:  been to the GP and have antibiotics "just in case", so those have gone in the cupboard.  He reckons this will gradually improve and is viral.  Lovely new chap, who had worked in NZ for a year.  I was amazed he came back but he said they were VERY choosy about who they let in!

I've got the car back now too, thank heavens.  Not too much of a hit in the pocket either (under £300).  Chilled again now, so am sat here with a cuppa and my little velvet hotty botty, and heading for the sofa any minute, as I was found to still have a temperature. My head keeps leaping, which is most unpleasant.

Totally fed up

 It would appear that I have a chest infection.  Yesterday I was asleep nearly all day and evening and then got right through the night with no 3.15 a.m. get up.  Today I am aching, my head is still feeling groggy, and I have zero energy.  Panadol has no effect on the groggy head. My chest doesn't feel so congested though. I will have to do the washing up today before it meets me at the door!

The lighthouse at Akaroa.

I have had to cancel Tam and Rosie coming over, which is a blow.  But I wouldn't be much company and can't manage walking around the Christmas Fair at Hay.  I can't get my Christmas tree yet, and indeed, have no car as it is still in the garage awaiting the MoT work.    I can't get down to town to post parcels and cards either, so Christmas is definitely on hold.  New neighbour has offered to take me down to town, so I may take him up on that.

One of the little churches I managed to get a photo of, but they are only open when services are being held.  There is no tradition of church bothering it would seem.  This is at Akaroa.

I spent yesterday sleeping through Broadchurch, Time Team, a Victorian Christmas (at Llywn Celyn again), and various similar offerings.  I would watch the first five minutes, fall asleep sitting up, and wake up at the credits . . .

Some tongue-in-cheek taxidermy . . .  The possum is enemy no. 1 as it does so much damage to nesting NZ birds.  One of our drivers was saying if he sees one on the road, that is shortly going to be a dead possum . . .  We did see a lot of squashed ones.  Strangely, their fur can be incorporated into socks, with merino wool, and these stop any blisters . . .  £50 or so a pair though!!

I forced myself to make Kedgeree in a short awake period, but only had about five dessert spoons of it for my meal. I just couldn't force it down.  My "main meal" was a can of 4 pineapple rings and gosh, I DID enjoy that. At least they tasted like pineapple rings!  I will get some more today.  I have at least lost another pound in weight.  I opened a tin of soup earlier, but could only manage half of it.  

I have a video of this amazing waterfall, but have to wait till Tam comes over so she can show me how to shrink their size.

I had to scamper outside late afternoon as Alfie suddenly involved in a fight with the nasty black and white farm tom who comes calling sometimes.  He is very stiff and sore this morning, poor old chap.

So as you can see, absolutely fed up here.  Can't stay awake long enough to do anything and have absolutely no will to do anything either.  10 days of jet-lag and now this bug for the last 4, and I just want to feel normal again.